Blessings of Faithfulness

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Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Devotions: Ps 97, 99, 115; Micah 7:7-15; Acts 3:1-10; John 15:1-11

YHWH reigns; let creation rejoice! He is awesome, and unique. Every idol-worshiper is put to shame, and every believer is gladdened. You are Most High, oh God! God loves those who hate evil and are righteous. Let us give thanks to our holy God. Holy are You, Mighty King, Lover of justice. God establishes equity and upholds justice. Let us praise and extol Him, for YHWH our God is holy! Lord, glorify Your name. Our God lives; other idols are stone and metal, images of their makers; but YHWH is the Maker, and we are in His image. Let all creation trust in YHWH. May the Lord give us increase; let us bless and praise Him always.

I will wait upon YHWH, the God of my salvation. My enemies need not rejoice, for God will raise me up; He will be my Light. I will bear the indignation of God against my sins, until He redeems and releases me. God will establish me in a homeland. God shepherds His people with grace and mercy. He works miracles for us! There is none like You, my Lord.

At 3 PM, Peter and John were headed to the Jerusalem temple to pray; as they passed the Beautiful Gate, they encountered a lame man begging. Peter said to the man: ‘Look at us!’ When the man responded, Peter continued: ‘I have no silver or gold; but I give you what I have: in the name of the Messiah Jesus of Nazareth, walk!’ Peter took the man’s hand and helped him arise. Immediately his feet and ankles were healed and made strong. He leaped up and entered the temple with the apostles, walking and bounding and praising God. Many witnesses recognized him as the cripple they knew who begged at the Beautiful Gate. They were amazed!

Jesus taught His closest disciples: ‘I Am the true Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser. He prunes those of My branches that bear fruit, and He burns up those that are fruitless. You are cleansed and pruned by all I have taught you. Abide now in Me, and I abide in you—that’s the only way you can be fruitful! Apart from Me, you can do nothing; but when you remain in Me, you will bear much good fruit! If you remain in Me, ask whatever you will, and it will be done for you. It is to My Father’s glory that you bear much fruit, showing that you are My disciples. As the Father has loved Me, so I have loved you; abide in My love! You do this by obeying My commands, as I have obeyed My Father’s commands and abide in His love. I have said all these things so that My joy may be in you, and your joy may be complete and full!’